When do Does Begin Breeding?
Filed under: Ask Grant, Deer Biology
I heard that a young doe can’t breed for a couples years. At what age can a doe first breed? David Question
David,
Does generally reach puberty when they weigh about 70 pounds (more or less depending on the area). In areas with commercial soybean and corn production, it’s common for 30% or more of the fawns (does born early that year) to breed during the late fall. It is possible that a doe might not breed until she is two years old, but only if the habitat quality is very poor and her development is limited due to poor nutrition.
Growing Deer together,
Grant